Uttar Pradesh Live: Mulayam reaches EC office as feud over SP symbol with Akhilesh escalates

Netaji has built the party; I consider him the 'Baghban' of the party. He is a father as well as the party Chief: Azam Khan, SP on SP feud pic.twitter.com/AcfcAVXdEq

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

SP won’t split till I am alive: Azam Khan

“Even I did not like this action. It should have been withdrawn. I am glad Akhilesh’s expulsion was revoked,” said Azam Khan.

“Conspiracy against Samajwadi Party failed,” he also said. “My only agenda is unity,” he added. “I am not in SP to split the party but to unite it.”

“SP will not split till I am alive,” said Khan.

Mulayam showed mature politics: Amar Singh

“Mulayam Singh ji has once again shown mature politics and his promise that he will not let this family or party split ever,” Amar Singh said.

Raat bhar ka hai mehman andhera,Kis ke roke ruka hai savera,Raat jitni bhi sangeen hogi,Subah utni hi rangeen hogi: Amar Singh pic.twitter.com/bafktJWRN9

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Kal hamaraa sammelan hoga, ye pehle hi tay tha, expulsion toh kal hua tha: Ramgopal Yadav pic.twitter.com/TtVDrXn6hC

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Samajwadi Party will fight unitedly against communal forces: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/a8dGKRadRy

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

We have to fight communal forces together: Shivpal

“The history of SP members is one to be proud of,” said Shivpal Yadav.

“I also had to go through the days of Emergency,” said Shivpal, adding that he had worked with some great people in politics.

“BJP has created an atmosphere of fear after demonetisation. They had done the same thing after the Babri Masjid demolition. But they were demolished later on,” he said.

“Netaji revoked the expulsion of Akhilesh and Ram Gopal. We have always fought communal forces and will continue to do so together,” he added. “We will form a majority government again.”

“The country has seen other governments. But these other governments of BJP, BSP and Congress did no work. But whenever we have formed a government, we have fulfiled all our promises,” Shivpal said.

Really happy, I was hopeful; SP will form its govt in UP and if there's an alliance with Congress, then it'll be even better: Lalu Yadav pic.twitter.com/wWU3eNum0e

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2016

SP will again form govt in UP: Lalu

“I was already hopeful. The Samajwadi Party will again form a government in Uttar Pradesh. This is good,” Lalu Prasad said.

“It is our duty to offer support to Uttar Pradesh at times of crisis,” Lalu further said.

Ram Gopal cancelled his National executive prog and Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav will sit together to make a list: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/TZlLHFlnFi

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

All feuds are over: Shivpal Yadav

“Netaji told us to immediately take Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav back into the party,” Shivpal Yadav told ANI. “Now, we will all come together and fight the 2017 polls together and form a government again,” he added.

“All the feuds are over,” he said.

Expulsion of Akhilesh, Ram Gopal revoked

In less than 24 hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav were sacked from the Samajwadi Party, their expulsion was revoked and they were taken back into the party.

Uthal-puthal macha hua hai UP mei; Hum kafhi chintit hain isiliye hum 8 baje Mulayam Singhji ko phone kiye: Lalu Yadav pic.twitter.com/CEOuAC9vqn

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2016

Sack Amar Singh, proposes Azam Khan

CNN-News18 reports that Azam Khan has asked Mulayam Singh Yadav to sack Amar Singh from the Samajwadi Party.

BJP will win UP for sure: Venkaiah Naidu tells Network18

“The country is going forward. UP should not lag behind,” Naidu told Network18. He also said that the SP split will improve the chances for BJP in UP.

Setting the stage for a show of strength, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from Samajwadi Party by his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, held a meeting at his residence where a majority of the 229 party MLAs were present.

Though the exact number of those present at the meeting was not immediately known, insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 SP MLAs were present. Besides, some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh attended the meeting.

Akhilesh is expected to meet his supporters and party workers later in the day to prove his strength.

The chief minister’s 5-Kalidas Marg residence appeared to be the hub of high drama with youth supporters of Akhilesh assembling in large numbers to vent their fury over his expulsion and that of his uncle Ramgopal Yadav. — PTI

Akhilesh supporters try to break cordon outside CM residence, clash with police: PTI

Unke (Mulayam Singh) saath sab dalal jama ho gaye hain, sab galat rai de rahe hain: Abu Azmi, SP pic.twitter.com/UU85KSNGs5

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Violence in Lucknow

Lucknow: Akhilesh Yadav supporters clash with Mulayam/Shivpal Yadav supporters outside party office pic.twitter.com/1DkFkUbhPf

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Akhilesh reaches Mulayam’s residence

SP feud now leads to violence

ANI reported that Akhilesh supporters clashed with the supporters of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav in Lucknow.

Will win UP and present it to my father: Akhilesh

CNN-News18 reports that Akhilesh Yadav told the legislators at his residence that he will win the UP polls and present it to father Mulayam Singh Yadav. News reports also said that the Uttar Pradesh chief minister got emotional while addressing the legislators.

Akhilesh’s supporters hold havan outside CM’s residence

CNN-News18 also reported that Akhilesh Yadav addressed 194 legislators at his residence.

Akhilesh Yadav supporters hold a 'havan' outside CM residence in his support pic.twitter.com/wxiV0CVJM6

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Lalu speaks to Akhilesh, Mulayam

According to CNN-News18, Lalu Prasad has spoken to both Akhilesh and Mulayam Singh Yadav and is trying to bring about peace in the party.

Azam Khan reaches Mulayam’s residence: ANI

Amar Singh appeals to party members to stand with Mulayam

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh termed the crisis in the party as “unfortunate” and asked party members to support Mulayam Singh Yadav in the family feud which has seen Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav being expelled.

“I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji Mulayam Singh. Whatever is happening is very unfortunate,” Amar, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.

He was asked about the crisis in the party after supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled his son Akhilesh Yadav and general secretary Ramgopal Yadav for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet on Sunday.

Amar said, “The foundation of this party was laid by Mulayam Singh with much dedication and hard work. I have said this earlier and will say it now, that Mulayam Singh is the chief of SP and the father of Akhilesh Yadav as well,” he said. — PTI

Neta humaare Mulayam Singh Yadav ji hain aur CM pasand Akhilesh ji hain: Ateeq Ahmed,SP pic.twitter.com/kgslKqNJDF

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Azam Khan calls meet of Muslim SP MLAs​

Amar Singh announces support for Mulayam

CNN-News18 reports that Amar Singh has announced his support for Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Section of SP MLAs support Akhilesh

Aaj Uttar Pradesh ka chehra sirf aur sirf Akhilesh Yadav ji hain, vo vikaspurush hain: Gomti Yadav,SP MLA pic.twitter.com/Zv6DN14Vmo

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Jab 2012 mein unko (Akhilesh Yadav) CM banaya tha, tab dono ne hi kalpana nahin ki thi ki ye din dekhna padega: Madhukar Jetley on SP feud pic.twitter.com/kFBgfswkZB

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Mamata Banerjee calls Akhilesh Yadav, asks to stay strong | ANI

WB CM Mamata Banerjee spoke to Akhilesh Yadav, wished him well and asked him to stay strong: Sources

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

‘History may have clues but Akhilesh-Mulayam divide is difficult to predict’

‘The shock from the ongoing tiff between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav aside, there have been events in history that may tell us what to expect from this unique situation. For that, it is important to analyse the layered conflict that this ejection of Yadav from the party will result in. For starters, the most immediate impact that this will have is on the state of the party, which also happens to be in power. There have been a number of instances not too long ago that have played out on this landscape.’

— Manika Sharma, writes on Firstpost. Read the full article here .

Factors in favour of Akhilesh Yadav

– His youth connect

– Besides Mulayam Singh Yadav, there is no other face in the party as popular as Akhilesh

– Akhilesh has been able to portray a different and modern image among a large section of voters In his old age,

– Mulayam doesn’t have the energy to criss-cross the state and infuse a renewed energy among voters.

– Akhilesh has it

– Shivpal Singh Yadav doesn’t have a mass appeal

– Akhilesh is the Mulayam Singh’s heir, so there are always chances of a truce

Firstpost writer Debobrat Ghose analyses the situation in Uttar Pradesh. Read the full article here .

Not against Netaji but we stand with our CM: Juhi Singh, SP | ANI

When my CM is suspended then its my responsibility to resign as spokesperson too.Not against Netaji but we stand with our CM:Juhi Singh,SP pic.twitter.com/8dEpGEkL8g

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Akhilesh will emerge as an established leader: Satyapal Singh, BJP

Dheere dheere karke SP se gunde tatv door ho rahe hain aur Akhilesh ji ek established leader ban kar ubhrenge:Satyapal Singh,BJP MP pic.twitter.com/uTMNuaD2OV

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Unke (Mulayam) viruddh kitne bhi bade log jo kuch bhi kaam kar rahe hain, wo bilkul asamvaidhanik, anaitik aur ghalat hai: Amar Singh pic.twitter.com/YiDGe0tw97

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Aaj toh kuch aisa lag raha hai ki Ram Chandra keh gaye siya se aisa kalyug aayga beta karega raj bechara baap jungle ko jayga: Amar Singh

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

My full support is with netaji: Amar Singh

Mai apna poora samarthan netaji ko deta hoon, unki avmanna party ka anushasan bhang karne ke samaan hai. : Amar Singh on SP feud pic.twitter.com/921jwldtQT

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Mulayam Singh Yadav has called SP Parliamentary board meet on Saturday: ANI

#ExpectToday Mulayam Singh has called SP's Parliamentary board meet today.

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

BJP adopts wait and watch policy on developments in SP | CNN-News18

#BREAKING -- BJP adopts 'wait & watch' policy on developments in SP. BJP doesn't want to be dragged in the SP row: Sources to @pranshumisraa

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 31, 2016

Samajwadi Party’s fight is a****round the wealth they have looted: Sudhindra Bhadoria, BSP | ANI

This SP split was imminent. The fight is around the wealth & the loot which they have done over the last 4 odd years:Sudhindra Bhadoria,BSP pic.twitter.com/Ay8RMBzZQg

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

No constitutional crisis in Uttar Pradesh: Gaurav Bhatia, SP | ANI

There is no constitutional crisis, its a painful moment for us and we hope issue is resolved soon: Gaurav Bhatia,SP pic.twitter.com/idSnJMy9xk

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Juhi Singh resigns: ANI

#FLASH Samajwadi Party spokesperson Juhi Singh resigns from the post

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2016

Akhilesh urges police to ensure tight security

UP CM AKhilesh Yadav directs UP DGP to ensure adequate security is deployed outside Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav's residence.

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2016

Uttar Pradesh DGP meets Akhilesh

Lucknow: UP DGP Javeed Ahmed reaches CM Akhilesh Yadav's residence to meet him. pic.twitter.com/XEqlOiSdDq

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2016

BJP calls for Akhilesh’s ouster

Morally Akhilesh Yadav must resign immediately. SP Govt had failed: Yogi Adityanath, BJP on expulsion of UP CM from SP for 6 yrs pic.twitter.com/yKKNzm8LZw

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2016

MLAs send in letters of support

Though it is not known which way the state will head, or how the Samajwadi Party will look post the split, several MLAs have reportedly given their letters supporting Akhilesh Singh Yadav.

UP governor urges wait and watch approach

Recent developments in the party (SP) is their internal matter. I will keep a close watch on this: Ram Naik, UP Governor to ANI

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2016

Parties distance themselves from Samajwadi Party drama

Congress, JD-U say it’s the internal matter of the Samajwadi Party and they wouldn’t comment on this.

Akhilesh to address media

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to address a press conference at 9 pm, where he is expected to announce his future course of action.

Supporters gather outside Yadav residence

Lucknow: Protesters tear down the posters of Shivpal Singh Yadav after Akhilesh Yadav was expelled from the party for 6 years pic.twitter.com/MivvuqJpQa

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2016